Gordon Hayward exits game after re-aggravating right hand injury

The Hornets' top scorer injured himself late in Charlotte's road loss to the Utah Jazz.

From NBA.com News Services

February 23, 2021 12:37 PM

Hayward leads the Hornets in scoring at 21.9 points per game.

Charlotte’s 132-110 loss to Utah on Monday night included an injury to one of its most important players. Hornets forward Gordon Hayward was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter after re-aggravating a right hand injury.

INJURY UPDATE: @hornets F Gordon Hayward left the game in the 4Q after re-aggravating a previous right hand injury, he will not return to tonight’s game #AllFly

— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) February 23, 2021

He appeared to suffer the injury when he landed hard on his wrist at the end of a drive to the basket. Replays showed he broke his fall with is right hand and, after doing so, Hayward sat on the floor in obvious pain.

“We’ll know more tomorrow,” Hornets coach James Borrego said after the game. “Obviously, we’re all concerned, but I don’t have an official update right now.”

Gordon Hayward headed to the locker room after falling on his right wrist. #AllFly | #CHAatUTA pic.twitter.com/1v2c4Mqr13

— FOX Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnFSSE) February 23, 2021

Hayward, whom the Hornets (14-16) acquired via sign-and-trade with Boston during the offseason, is averaging 21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field. His best individual season in years coincides with Charlotte’s resurgence as a potential playoff team in the Eastern Conference.